Cougars 26, Halifax 8 - COUGARS bared their claws and ripped Halifax apart with a devastating display of attacking rugby.

The ex-Super League side had no answer to the power and determination of a charged-up Keighley side which had been brought back to life with the return of Matt Foster from injury and captain James Rushworth, who was making his season's debut.

They have lacked spark in their early season games with only a victory over Workington revealing any of the form which took them to promotion last season. But in the wind and rain of grim Sunday afternoon they were firing on all cylinders and left Halifax a demoralised and dispirited side.

Cougars had been itching for this re-match after pushing them close on the opening day of the season. Then they turned on an impressive second half performance and just missed out on a share of the points this time they dominated throughout.

The defence was awesome, they looked stronger up front, and on a day when a good kicking game was crucial they came up with the goods.

The Halifax-based players were outstanding. Simeon Hoyle played former Cougar Phil Cantillon off the park, Rushforth looked back to his best - and while Danny Ekis may be the smallest prop in the RFL he surely has one of the biggest hearts.

Time and again Ekis took on former Super League stars Anthony Farrell, Paul Davison and Ryan McDonald and came up bloodied but unbowed. He was named man of the match for his heroics and also scored the deciding try.

The Cougars got off to a great start when Richard smith Fumbled Matty Firth's kick. Two plays after the scrum Hoyle blasted over from acting half to score the opening try after just 78 seconds and Adam Mitchell added the conversion.

Moments later Halifax hit back at the other end of the field. Max Tomlinson struggled under a high ball and Danny Arnold gathered to touch down.

Cougars gradually got on top, superbly led by Phil Stephenson, and a second try looked likely. The source was less predictable as Matt Steel, stepping up from the Academy for his first game in the second row, made great break down the left, found Rushforth on his inside and the skipper did the rest.

Mitchell was left with another simple conversion and followed up with a penalty to make it 14-4 and the shivering spectators could see their team grow in confidence.

After Mitchell added the penalty he fumbled the kick-off and from the scrum Alan Hadcroft raced round the blind side to touch down.

Gary Moorby's side remained calm and added a Mitchell penalty in the 31st minute to make it 16-8 at the break.

Playing into a gale and horizontal rain, up the Cougar slope, an eight-point margin didn't look much, but the second half defensive effort overcame that handicap. They could have extended their lead straight after the restart when Rushforth just failed to scoop up his own bubbling kick with the line at his mercy.

They had a let-off six minutes later when 'Fax full back Scott Grix dropped the ball as he dived over and that proved to be a turning point.

Cougars made them pay for the mistake when Matt Firth's kick through was missed by Smith who dived over the ball and Andy Robinson was on hand to touchdown just before the ball rolled dead.

More defence was necessary, but it paid off as time and time again Halifax spilled possession.

Stephenson and Rushforth were held up short of the line before a slick inside pass from Craig Nipperess send Danny Ekis racing through a static defensive line to seal victory.

Mitchell failed to convert but added a penalty to complete his scoring, landing five goals from nine attempts on a day when he would have been glad to get one over.

It was undoubtedly the best game of the season so far for the Cougars and the progress they have made has been remarkable. Now the challenge is to put together consistent back-to-back performances.

They have proved the talent is there - now they must show they can reproduce the same effort, concentration and determination in every game.